Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of modern Zimbabwean expressions
All Words(356 words)
adverb / shrug-it-off phrase - indicates something is minor, not worth fussing over; “no big deal.”
“Not a biggie.”/ “Minor issue.” Used to downplay hassles, losses, or favour requests, Zim equivalent of “no worries” or “it’s light work.”
"Pressure yei maboss, haaa zvima small-small izvi"
"What pressure boss? That's a minor issue, no worries"
n. The Aviator crash-betting game, or the high-risk gambling habit of chasing its multipliers.
“Little airplane” (from ndege = plane) - the onscreen jet in the Aviator betting game. Usually a one-way flight from $2 airtime to unpaid rent and ghosted creditors.
"Wangu usajutwe nekandege, kanokulatuza homwe yese ukasara uri nzungu"
"My guy, don't be misled by the Aviator betting, it will leave you high and dry"
A girl or hook-up currently “in inventory”; someone you can call on for a date or fling.
A woman kept “in inventory” for hook-ups or chill sessions; casually available merchandise. Origin: lifted straight from retail talk, if Spar can have fresh stock, so can your weekend roster. The tone is mostly playful, can be savage when used to roast a guy who thinks he’s locking down true love while everyone else is still checking price tags.
"Muri kuroora stock rekuma chills futi!"
"You’re marrying inventory meant for quick Netflix-and-chill."
A sharp, powerful slap delivered to the face, often sudden and meant to shock or discipline.
Close synonym: rata (also a strong slap); other variants: zenya, demo, lighter, gwati. Usage tip: In ghetto banter, someone might threaten “ndinokudira mucheka” to warn they’ll shut the other person up with one blow.
"Chaunga chakasheedzera haikona kumurova, ndakazongoona apihwa mucheka"
"The crowd was shouting not to hit him but shortly after I saw someone slapping the shit out of him"
Girls/ women.
The word 'mbaisi' is actually the word 'simbi' (another slang term for girls) flipped backwards and then pronounced differently. The *eee* sound in the letter 'i' is forgone for a more English pronunciation of the letter. Saying words backwards was a thing back in the day called Chibende. (bending words)
"Kune mbaisi here? "
"Will there be girls?"
Crossing one's country borders or leaving for another country.
"Rasta vakajamba border last year. Vakugara ku UK. "
"The guy left the country last year. He lives in the UK now. "
To panic or lose grip of a situation usually resulting in clumsiness or awkwardness after one gets anxious.
Jenjazi describes the type of panic that happens when someone is mostly anxious and not when they are in actual danger.
"Rasta ava vanorohwa ne jenjazi kana ndichitamba navo FIFA."
"This guy panics every time he faces against me in FIFA matches "
bicycle
Murikaz is short for murikiriki.
"Ndipo murikaz wako ndimbosvika kuma shops."
"Can you lend me your bicycle i need to go to the shops."
an extremely beautiful woman
A woman whose looks sit at the very top end of the scale,flawless 9 or perfect 10. Show-stopping beauty; absolute stunner.She turns heads instantly and usually comes with high-maintenance expectations
"Haaa paita zvembama apa!"
"Now that's what we call stunning!"